Anesthesia Aide

Founded in 1873, Dignity Health - Mercy Medical Center is a 186-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in Merced, California. Serving over 150,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including a Level II NICU, heart care, the Mercy Cancer Center, and a family birth center. Additionally, Merced Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and is a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center.

One Community. One Mission. One California 

As an Anesthesia Aide, you will be responsible for anesthesia services and all anesthesia equipment and supplies in Surgical Services, and for providing essential care as supporting the anesthesia procedures within the Scope of Practice.

Every day, you will provide appropriate patient care according to the age of the patient, specifically: neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric. You will be responsible for maintaining patient confidentiality as per Administrative Policy, and perform a variety of technical and supportive patient care tasks to assist anesthesiologists and nurses in performing procedures. This involves meticulous preparation, vigilant monitoring, and proactive support within the anesthesia team to ensure patient safety and seamless procedural flow, from equipment readiness to direct patient interaction.

To be successful in your role, you will meticulously manage all anesthesia equipment and supplies, ensuring their readiness and proper functioning for surgical services. You will demonstrate exceptional proficiency in providing essential technical and supportive patient care tasks to assist anesthesiologists and nurses, adhere strictly to patient confidentiality, and adapt your care according to the age of the patient, all within the defined Scope of Practice to maintain optimal anesthesia services.

• Responsible for ensuring proper function of anesthesia equipment in Operating Rooms including but not limited to: a. Provides daily inspection and calibration of all anesthesia machines. b. Provides for routine maintenance and repair of anesthesia equipment. c. Replaces anesthesia equipment as needed. d. Maintains a service log for anesthesia machines. Troubleshoots anesthesia machines and repairing within own limits
• Responsible for ensuring proper cleaning of anesthesia equipment, instrumentation, supplies, storage carts, and related work areas including but not limited to: a. Reviews surgery schedule daily to anticipate anesthesia needs for equipment other than normal, assisting in any invasive procedure that may be required by the anesthesiologist b. Determines and maintains supplies ordered from Warehouse, Central Processing, and special outside orders. c. Maintains adequate supplies of all compressed gases (medical gases) used for surgical procedures. d. Participates in ongoing negotiations for anesthesia supplies and equipment. e. Maintains current knowledge of latex allergies
• Provides consistency for the anesthesia group: a. Participates in product selection, evaluation, and conversion. b. Establishes and maintains standard carts and supplies at all facilities. c. Participates in anesthesia meetings and collaborating with anesthesiologists for decisions
• Takes the initiative to continue to develop professionally and to provide development of other staff members as evidenced by the following: a. Demonstrates self directed learning and participating in continuing education to meet own professional needs as determined by the qualification requirements of this job. b. Participates in the development, implementation and attainment of department goals. c. Attends Surgical Services meetings, Anesthesia Committee meetings. d. Assists anesthesiologists with procedures as needed and within the scope of practice
• Supports direct patient care personnel. Is available to assist surgical staff and physicians throughout surgical procedure including but not limited to equipment and supply
• Perform disinfecting, cleaning and sterilizing of anesthesia related equipment. Knowledge of aseptic techniques.

Required

• Basic Life Support - CPR, upon hire
• High School GED or equivalent technical training and Minimum 1 year experience in a surgicalenvironment., upon hire or
• High School Graduate or equivalent technical training and Minimum 1 year experience in a surgicalenvironment., upon hire and
• Experience with anesthesiamachines, equipment and proceduresperformed. and
• Prior healthcare experience
• Anesthesia Tech training or equivalent on the job training
• Will be required to take call shifts as assigned

Please be advised that this location requires quarterly American Heart Association (AHA) Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) competency certification post-hire.  This ongoing competency is required through resources internal to the facility; outside RQI competency resources are not acceptable for CommonSpirit Health compliance requirements.